Forgotten Farmers

Today’s New York Times has an unusual Op-Ed piece by James Rebanks, a British sheep farmer, who lives in the lovely Lake District. (I recall hiking there, when I was a student at U. of Manchester 50 years ago). He is touring the US to promote his new book, a memoir, “The Shepherd’s Life”.

Here is a key passage: “Economists say that when the world changes people will adapt, move and change to fit the new world. But of course, real human beings often don’t do that. They cling to the places they love, and their identity remains tied to the outdated or inefficient things they used to do, like being steel workers or farmers. Often, their skills are not transferable anyway, and they have no interest in the new opportunities. So, these people get left behind.”

We economists spin theories from our comfy offices, about how the force of social Darwinism (competition for resources) drives efficiency. You’re a farmer? Herd sheep? Your country imports cheap mutton? Tough for you. Find another trade. That’s life.

This is the economic theory. It’s time to rethink it.

Economic freedom should also mean the freedom to choose our livelihood, and to engage in it as long as we wish. Farmers are so few, so forgotten, and are so threatened..Rebanks writes about abandoned farms through the US, but who cares? Who even notices? America is flooded with cheap (and mostly unhealthy) food from abroad.

Rural America matters. So does rural EVERYwhere. Rebanks is right. Time to rethink the cruel free-market theory economists sold the world.

Last Saturday (shabbat), I had the privilege to read a passage from the Bible, Kings 2, in our synagogue. The passage tells how young King Joash restores the Temple, by raising crowdfund money, “everyone according to his heart” and to his soul. Money. Heart. Soul. Those three things must go together in any economic system that claims to be just and fair. An economic system without a heart or soul is unacceptable.